Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread: A Sticky, Sweet Delight!
Monkey bread. Just the name conjures images of sticky fingers, gooey caramel, and pure, unadulterated happiness. And when you combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with the fun, pull-apart nature of monkey bread, you get a dessert that’s truly irresistible. This Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread recipe takes a shortcut using refrigerated cinnamon roll dough, making it surprisingly easy to whip up for a weekend brunch, holiday gathering, or any occasion that calls for a sweet treat.
Why This Recipe Works
* **Effortless & Quick:** Using pre-made cinnamon roll dough drastically cuts down on prep time. No need to wait for dough to rise!
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** Its pull-apart nature makes it perfect for sharing and fun for all ages.
* **Deliciously Gooey:** The caramel-cinnamon sauce coats every bite, ensuring maximum flavor and sticky goodness.
* **Customizable:** Easily adaptable with different nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips.
* **Impressive Presentation:** It looks fancy but is incredibly easy to make.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **2 cans (12.4 oz each) refrigerated cinnamon rolls (with icing):** The star of the show! Brands like Pillsbury, Annie’s, or store-brand work perfectly.
* **1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter:** Provides richness and flavor to the caramel sauce.
* **1 cup packed light brown sugar:** Creates the caramel base and adds a molasses-like sweetness.
* **1 teaspoon ground cinnamon:** Enhances the cinnamon roll flavor and adds warmth.
* **1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional):** Adds a nutty crunch and complements the cinnamon and caramel.
* **Non-stick cooking spray:** Prevents the monkey bread from sticking to the pan.
## Equipment You’ll Need
* **Bundt pan:** The classic shape for monkey bread. A 10-12 inch pan works best.
* **Large bowl:** For tossing the cinnamon roll pieces in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
* **Small saucepan:** For melting the butter and brown sugar to create the caramel sauce.
* **Measuring cups and spoons:** For accurate ingredient measurements.
* **Sharp knife or kitchen shears:** For cutting the cinnamon rolls into pieces.
* **Mixing spoon or spatula:** For stirring the caramel sauce and tossing the cinnamon roll pieces.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread masterpiece:
**1. Prepare the Bundt Pan:**
* Thoroughly grease a Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to prevent sticking. You can also lightly flour the pan after greasing for extra insurance.
**2. Prepare the Cinnamon Roll Pieces:**
* Open both cans of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. Set aside the icing packets that come with the rolls (you’ll use them later).
* Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut each cinnamon roll into quarters or sixths, depending on the size of the rolls. You want bite-sized pieces.
* Place the cut cinnamon roll pieces in a large bowl.
**3. Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:**
* In a small bowl, combine the 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional). This step helps to ensure an even coating of cinnamon flavor on the dough pieces.
* Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the cinnamon roll pieces in the large bowl. Toss gently to coat all the pieces evenly.
**4. Make the Caramel Sauce:**
* In a small saucepan, melt the 1 cup of butter over medium heat. Be careful not to burn the butter.
* Once the butter is melted, add the 1 cup of packed light brown sugar and stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
* Remove the saucepan from the heat.
**5. Assemble the Monkey Bread:**
* If using nuts, sprinkle half of the chopped pecans or walnuts evenly over the bottom of the prepared Bundt pan.
* Dip each cinnamon roll piece in the caramel sauce, allowing the excess to drip off.
* Arrange the dipped cinnamon roll pieces evenly in the Bundt pan, layering them on top of the nuts (if using).
* Pour any remaining caramel sauce evenly over the cinnamon roll pieces in the pan.
* Sprinkle the remaining chopped nuts (if using) over the top.
**6. Bake the Monkey Bread:**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Bake the monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
* If the top of the monkey bread starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
**7. Cool and Invert:**
* Let the monkey bread cool in the Bundt pan for about 10 minutes. This allows the caramel sauce to set slightly, making it easier to invert.
* Place a serving plate over the top of the Bundt pan. Carefully and quickly invert the pan onto the plate. The monkey bread should release easily.
* If any pieces stick to the pan, gently loosen them with a knife or spatula and reattach them to the monkey bread.
**8. Drizzle with Icing:**
* While the monkey bread is cooling, prepare the icing packets that came with the cinnamon rolls. You can either snip the corner of the packet and drizzle the icing over the monkey bread, or you can warm the icing slightly in the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to drizzle.
* Drizzle the icing evenly over the warm monkey bread.
**9. Serve and Enjoy:**
* Serve the Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread warm. Let everyone pull off a piece and enjoy the sticky, sweet goodness!
## Tips for Success
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaking will result in dry monkey bread. Check for doneness at 30 minutes and adjust baking time accordingly.
* **Use Fresh Dough:** For best results, use fresh cinnamon roll dough that hasn’t expired.
* **Grease the Pan Well:** This is crucial for easy release. Don’t skimp on the non-stick cooking spray.
* **Evenly Distribute the Pieces:** Try to distribute the cinnamon roll pieces evenly in the Bundt pan to ensure even baking and a pleasing presentation.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet monkey bread, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar in the caramel sauce.
* **Add a Pinch of Salt:** A pinch of salt to the caramel sauce can enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors.
* **Let it Cool Slightly:** Cooling the monkey bread for 10 minutes before inverting helps it hold its shape and prevents it from falling apart.
## Variations and Add-Ins
This recipe is a great base for experimentation! Here are some ideas to customize your Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread:
* **Chocolate Chip Monkey Bread:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the cinnamon roll pieces before assembling the monkey bread.
* **Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread:** Increase the amount of chopped pecans and add a drizzle of caramel sauce after inverting the monkey bread.
* **Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread:** Add 1 cup of diced apples to the cinnamon roll pieces and increase the amount of cinnamon to 1 1/2 teaspoons. You can also add a splash of apple cider to the caramel sauce.
* **Maple Pecan Monkey Bread:** Substitute maple syrup for some of the brown sugar in the caramel sauce and add chopped pecans. Use maple-flavored icing for drizzling.
* **Savory Monkey Bread:** While this recipe is for a sweet treat, you can adapt it to a savory version by using biscuit dough instead of cinnamon rolls. Toss the biscuit pieces with melted butter, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs. Then, bake as directed.
## Serving Suggestions
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is delicious on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to take it to the next level:
* **Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream:** The contrast of the warm monkey bread and cold ice cream is heavenly.
* **With a cup of coffee or tea:** A perfect pairing for a cozy breakfast or brunch.
* **As a dessert for a potluck or holiday gathering:** It’s a crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will love.
* **Brunch with a side of fresh fruit and yogurt:** A balanced and delicious brunch option.
## Storage Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, you can refrigerate the monkey bread for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
* **Freezer:** While not ideal, you can freeze Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
* **Can I use a different type of dough?**
While refrigerated cinnamon roll dough is the easiest option, you can use homemade cinnamon roll dough or even biscuit dough for a different texture.
* **Can I make this recipe ahead of time?**
Yes, you can assemble the monkey bread ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Add about 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
* **My monkey bread stuck to the pan. What did I do wrong?**
Make sure you grease the Bundt pan very well with non-stick cooking spray. You can also lightly flour the pan after greasing for extra insurance.
* **Can I use a different type of nuts?**
Yes, you can use any type of nuts you like, such as walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
* **The top of my monkey bread is browning too quickly. What should I do?**
Loosely tent the top of the monkey bread with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
* **Can I add cream cheese frosting instead of the icing that comes with the cinnamon rolls?**
Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting would be a delicious addition.
## Conclusion
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread is a fun, easy, and delicious dessert that’s sure to impress. With its gooey caramel sauce, warm cinnamon flavor, and pull-apart texture, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a monkey bread masterpiece that everyone will love! This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and will quickly become a family favorite. Enjoy the sticky, sweet, and utterly irresistible goodness of Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread!